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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1781
A letter, of 28 June, from Major General the Marquis de la Fayette was read, with sundry papers enclosed:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 156, folio 155.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
A letter, of 1, from the governor of the State of New York, was read, with sundry papers enclosed:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 390.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [John] Mathews, Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth.
A letter, of June 12, from Major General Baron de Steuben, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 4, from Captain J.P. Jones;4 and
[Note 4: 4 Steuben's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 226. Jones's is in No. 168, I, folio 480.]
One, of 4 May, from D. J. Jos. Navarro, governor of Havannah, were read.
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A letter, of 5, from the Board of War, was read, enclosing two estimates from the deputy quartermaster for Pensylvania:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War to take order, in conjunction with the superintendant of finance.
The committee of the week made report; Whereupon,
The Committee of the week report, on the letter of Capt. George Melvin, a prisoner of war, on parole, requesting to be allowed Rations.
Ordered, That a letter, of 5, from George Melvin,1 be referred to the Board of War;
[Note 1: 1 Melven's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVI, folio 203.]
Also on the letter of Ebenezer Hazard Esqr. Inspector of the post office, respecting sundry letters to the treasurer of loans, the postage whereof the said treasurer of loans refused to pay.
That a letter, of 6, from E. Hazard, be referred to the Committee on the Post Office.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Samuel Livermore, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 32, folio 189.]
The committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Houston, Mr. Osgood, Mr. T. Smith,∥ to whom was referred the letter, of 27 of June, from the superintendant of finance delivered in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the transactions of Robert Morris, esq. as superintendant of the finances of the United States, previous to the taking of the oaths of office by him the said superintendant, be and they are hereby declared to be valid and authentic to all intents and purposes whatsoever:
That the said Robert Morris be accountable for the same, in like manner with other his official transactions:
That the acceptance of the trust and powers granted to the said superintendant by certain resolutions of the assembly of Pensylvania, bearing date the 25 day of June, 1781,
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will, in the opinion of Congress, have a tendency to promotethe public service of the United States, wherefore they doapprove thereof.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 321.]
The committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Madison, Mr. Varnum, Mr. Sherman,∥ to whom was referred the letter, of 28th June, from the superintendant of finance also delivered in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the superintendant of finance be, and he is hereby authorised to appoint an assistant in his department, who shall be entitled to an annual salary of eighteen hundred and fifty Spanish milled dollars, to be paid quarterly from the treasury of the United States; and two clerks who shall be entitled each to the annual salary of five hundred Spanish milled dollars to be paid in like manner.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 323.]
The President having informed the United States in Congress assembled, that his ill state of health will not permit him to continue longer in the exercise of the duties of that office, and requested leave of absence:
Ordered, That Monday next be assigned for electing a president.
The report of the committee, ∥consisting of Mr. M. Smith, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Jenifer, ∥ on the motion of Mr. M[eriwether] Smith, was taken into consideration;
That the first Monday in November next be assigned for electing a Minister of Marine.
That election of a Secretary of Marine be postponed, until Negatived. the first Monday in November next.
That until such minister is appointed appointment is made, or until farther order be taken by the United States in Congress Assembled, the fitting out and employing the vessels of war belonging to the
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United States be committed to the Superintendant of Finance, and that he be empowered to appoint an agent or agents to execute what relates to the fitting out, manning and equipping for sea the said vessels, and also for paying off the crews, and taking the charge of and disposal of the captures and prizes that may be made.
That the care of marine prisoners, heretofore entrusted to the Board of Admiralty, be transferred to the Commissary of Prisoners, under the direction of the Beard of War.
That the Seal of the Admiralty be deposited with the Secretary of Congress, and that he seal and countersign the commissions heretofore issued by the Board of Admiralty until a Secretary of Marine is appointed.
That all other duties of the Board of Admiralty be for the present suspended and that the Board of Admiralty, the several navy boards, the continental agents in the marine department, and all persons in authority under them, be and they are hereby removed, and that from and after the passing of this act the authorities, powers, privileges and emoluments to them or any of them given by any former act or acts of Congress, do cease, determine and be utterly void.
That the Superintendant of finance be and he is hereby directed to cause the accounts of all and singular the persons aforesaid to be settled and adjusted on equitable principles as soon as possible; That he appoint one or more proper accountants for that purpose if he think it necessary
That he cause suits to be commenced against any person or persons who shall neglect or refuse to settle his or their said accounts, or to deliver over or pay any stores or monies in his or their possession belonging to these United States, and that on the adjustments, deliveries and payments aforesaid he give proper releases and acquittances.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 149.]
and on the question to agree to the first paragraph, viz.
"That the election of a secretary of marine be postponed till the first Monday in November next."
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Sullivan,
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{table}
So the question was lost.
Ordered, That the remainder be referred to a committee of three: the members, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland.
[Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.]
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